Post Production Tutorials

[00stiffy]

I've recently noticed that there are a lot of Pro Tools tutorials available online for a subscription fee. They are packaged nicely and I have previewed some of the course content, but luckily I have received great first-hand personal training so I have no need to make a purchase.

With a little searching, surely a lot of the information would be available on this forum? As we all know, it is a great resource for information and there a are a lot of knowledgeable professional contributors willing to help out for free.

How is it that people are able to charge for Pro Tools video tutorials without incurring the wrath of Avid? Surely there is a legality issue with offering third party tutorials in exchange for a fee?

I'd be interested to hear the general opinion on this.

[SDDP]

Capitalism and Free Enterprise come to mind.

[00stiffy]

Haha nicely put!

However, is there not a legal issue with charging for tutorials for a brand with copyright? (Avid in this instance).

[inf0l]

Originally Posted by 00stiffy

Haha nicely put!

However, is there not a legal issue with charging for tutorials for a brand with copyright? (Avid in this instance).

Only if you claim it to be a "certified Avid tutorial" without Avid's permission. Otherwise you should be good to go. (You seem to be confusing trademark protection with copyright.)

[00stiffy]

I wouldn't be interested in doing this myself. I was just wondering how others were able to offer this service; some of them with sub-standard information.

I'm not too well versed in legalese, so yes it would appear I am confusing trademark protection with copyright.

Would offering 'Pro Tools' tutorial services not be a trademark protection issue?

[mikevarela]

Lynda.com is a great place. maybe ask them about the legal issues involved.

[postprosound]

I think that in the end, it's what you're selling. If i choose to do that, i'm selling my knowledge, not some sort of official AVID sponsorship. You are not GIVING someone a fish (here, pro tools), you are TEACHING them HOW to fish (knowledge, here of post production, and or pro tools).

I'm sure, they way things are these days, that if AVID wanted to push the issue, they could. The law, at times, for better or worse, depends on your lawyers. But, they have really no reason. if you know their product that much better, you buy their product, and be loyal.

[00stiffy]

Thanks for the replies guys. This is just something that has caught my attention recently. As I was trained in college and personally "on the job", I find the services offered online interesting.

Mike, I have checked out lynda.com for Photoshop tutorials in the past and it's a great resource.

The legal issue is just a side note that interested me. I guess the tutorials are product promotion at the end of the day.

As postprosound put it

You are not GIVING someone a fish (here, pro tools), you are TEACHING them HOW to fish (knowledge, here of post production, and or pro tools).